Kyle Walker will be ‘absolutely fuming’ and his ‘blood will be boiling’ after the Man City star was snubbed by boss Pep Guardiola in the Champions League final
Rio Ferdinand said that Kyle Walker’s ‘blood will be boiling’ after being left out of Manchester City’s Champions League final starting 11.
Walker is benched by Pep Guardiola, in the only change from the team that beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley a week ago.
Ferdinand told BT Sport: ‘He will be absolutely fuming… inside, I can imagine, the blood will be boiling. He’s been integral to them getting here.’
The former England defender noted that Walker’s performances in the semi-final had helped Man City reach the final – only for him to begin the match on the bench.
Ferdinand said: ‘That game against Real Madrid he was outstanding, both legs. He’ll be disappointed. But it’s a squad game, and you have to accept it.’
Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker has been benched for the Champions League final
Joleon Lescott, Cesc Fabregas and Rio Ferdinand commented on Pep Guardiola’s decision
Nathan Ake has been named in the team to counter Inter Milan’s two recognised strikers
Nathan Ake has been selected instead, and Cesc Fabregas said it was a ‘tough one’. He added: ‘Kyle Walker has been playing very well lately. He dealt with Vinicius Jr very well. He’s one of the most powerful defenders you can find in football right now.’
Fabregas mused that Guardiola might be choosing a defender who will stay back, rather than venturing forward.
Fellow pundit Joleon Lescott warned it could take ‘years’ for Walker to process the decision. Lescott said: ‘I don’t think he’ll understand it for weeks, years. He’s been an integral part. We know Pep picks players based on opposition.’
He said Manuel Akanji and Ake would be used to fight the threat from Inter Milan’s two recognised strikers.
When Guardiola was asked to explain his decision to BT Sport before kick-off, the boss responded: ‘He could be there, it was really tough.
‘For the way we want to defend and attack we need another type of player. [That is] the only reason why.’
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